KR20020020216A - Communication device, address input supporting method, and information storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To easily enter an address including a network number and a host number. CONSTITUTION: In the case of data communication, at least part or all of a network number in each destination IP address is acquired and sequentially stored. Then in entering an IP address, one of parts or all of the network numbers is selected on the basis of the instruction of a user and the entry of the rest of the network number and a host number from the user is accepted. Furthermore, the part or all of the network number, the rest of the network number and the host number are combined as the entry IP address.

Description

COMMUNICATION DEVICE, ADDRESS INPUT SUPPORTING METHOD, AND INFORMATION STORAGE MEDIUM}

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a communication apparatus, an address input support method, and an information storage medium, and more particularly, to a technology for supporting (assisting) an address input by a user.

In recent years, a competitive game on the Internet has attracted the attention of users. In this kind of competitive game, a player who wishes to play a competitive game accesses a specific game server (lobby server), collects opponents, exchanges IP addresses there, and starts the game, or directly plays the opponent's IP. A method of inputting an address to a game machine or the like and starting a competitive play with the opponent of the IP address is generally available.

Of the two methods described above, it is convenient to use the latter method when playing a competitive game again with a friend or an opponent who has already competed. By the way, direct input of an IP address is generally complicated, especially in a game machine which does not have an input device specialized for numerical input such as a ten key, so-called numerical input while operating a keyboard displayed on a television screen with a + character key or the like. This is very cumbersome because you have to enter the IP address with the software keyboard.

At this point, if the history of the opponent's IP address is stored in a memory card or the like, and one of them is selected therein, the opponent can be designated only by selecting the IP address, and communication competition can be started quickly. However, when dialing up an ISP (Internet Service Provider) or the like, an IP address may be dynamically assigned every time the connection is established, and an IP address stored in a memory card or the like may be a friend or an opponent who may have already played a game. There is no guarantee of an address. For this reason, there is a limit to the input support method of such an IP address.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is a communication device capable of easily inputting an address including a network number and a host number, even when the opposite address is dynamically allocated every time, a method for supporting address input, and An information storage medium is provided.

MEANS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM In order to solve the said subject, the communication apparatus which concerns on this invention is a communication apparatus which transmits data to the address containing a network number and a host number, Comprising: The network number which acquires at least one part or all part of a network number among the relative addresses at the time of data communication. Acquisition means; Network number storage means for sequentially storing part or all of the network number acquired by the network number obtaining means; Network number selecting means for selecting one from part or all of the network number already stored in the network number storing means based on a user instruction; Input means for a user to input the remainder of the network number and the host number; And data transmitting means for transmitting data to an address including a part or all of the network number selected by the network number selecting means, a remaining part of the network number input by the input means, and a host number. It is done.

In addition, the address input support method according to the present invention is an address input support method for supporting input of an address including a network number and a host number, wherein the network number for acquiring at least part or all of the network numbers among the relative addresses during data communication; Acquisition step; A network number storing step of sequentially storing part or all of the network number acquired in the network number obtaining step; A network number selection step of selecting one from part or all of the network number already stored in the network number storing step based on a user instruction; An input step of accepting input of a remainder of the network number and a host number from a user; And an input address determination step of determining, as a user's input address, an address including a part or all of the network number selected in the network number selection step, the remaining part of the network number input in the input step, and a host number. Characterized in that.

Further, the information storage medium according to the present invention is an information storage medium storing a program for supporting input of an address including a network number and a host number, wherein at least part or all of the network numbers of the relative addresses are acquired during data communication. Obtaining a network number; A network number storing step of sequentially storing part or all of the network number acquired in the network number obtaining step; A network number selection step of selecting one from part or all of the network number already stored in the network number storing step based on a user instruction; An input step of accepting input of a remainder of the network number and a host number from a user; And an input address determination step of determining an address including a part or all of the network number selected in the network number selection step, the remaining part of the network number input in the input step, and a host number as a user input address. I remember a program to run it.

According to the present invention, at least part or all of the network numbers of the counterpart addresses are acquired during data communication, and they are sequentially stored. When the address is input, one is selected based on a user's instruction from a part or all of the network numbers already stored, and the rest of the network number and the host number are input by the user. Then, an address including the remaining part of the network number inputted as part or all of the selected network number and the host number becomes the input address of the user. Even when the other address is dynamically allocated every time the connection is established, for example, the network number is common at least because of the same ISP or access point. In the present invention, since only a part or all of the network numbers are selected, the user can easily enter an address.

1 is a block diagram of a game device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 shows an example of a controller.

3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an IP address history.

4 is a diagram illustrating an input order of an IP address.

5 is a diagram illustrating an input order of an IP address.

6 is a diagram illustrating an input order of an IP address.

7 is a diagram illustrating an input order of an IP address.

8 is a flow chart for explaining an IP address input support process.

9 is a flowchart for explaining IP address input support processing.

10 is a flowchart for explaining IP address input support processing.

11 is a flowchart for explaining IP address input support processing.

<Explanation of symbols for main parts of drawing>

10: game device

11: home game console

12: bus

14: CPU

16: graphics processing unit

18: monitor

20: sound processing unit

22: speaker

24 CD-ROM reader

25: CD-ROM

26: RAM

28: ROM

29: Internet

30: input and output control unit

31: communication control unit

32: controller

34: + character key

36: start button

38A, 38B, 38X, 38Y: Button

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

1 is a block diagram of a game device according to an embodiment of the present invention. This game device 10 can access the Internet 29 from the communication control unit 31 so as to play a game of communication competition. In the following, the side of the game device 10 as a communication device for executing a game of communication competition is mainly described.

The game device 10 is configured by mounting a CD-ROM 25 that is an information storage medium to a home game machine 11 connected to a monitor 18 and a speaker 22. Here, although the CD-ROM 25 is used to supply game programs and game data to the home game machine 11, all other information storage media such as a DVD-ROM or a ROM card can be used. In addition, the game program or game data can be supplied to the home game machine 11 from a remote location via a communication network such as the Internet 29.

The home game machine 11 includes a CPU 14, a GPU 16, an SPU 20, a CD-ROM reading device 24, a RAM 26, a ROM 28, an input / output control unit 30, and a communication control unit 31. Are connected to each other by the bus 12 so that data communication is possible, and the controller 32 is code-connected to the input / output control unit 30. Each component of the home game machine 11 other than the controller 32 is housed in a predetermined casing. For example, a home television receiver is used for the monitor 18, and a built-in speaker is used for the speaker 22, for example.

The CPU 14 controls each part of the home game machine 11 based on the operating system stored in the ROM 28 or the game program read out from the CD-ROM 25. The bus 12 is for exchanging addresses and data in each part of the home game machine 11. The ROM 28 stores an operating system which is a program necessary for controlling the overall operation of the home game machine 11. In addition to the RAM 26, game programs and game data read out from the CD-ROM 25 are written as necessary, and used for work. The GPU (Graphic Processing Unit) 16 includes a frame buffer, which receives image data sent from the CPU 14, draws a game screen on the frame buffer, and converts the contents into a video signal. Output to the monitor 18 at a predetermined timing.

The SPU (Sound Processing Unit) 20 includes a sound buffer, which reads from the CD-ROM 25 and reproduces data such as music and game effect sounds stored in the sound buffer and outputs it from the speaker 22. The CD-ROM reading device 24 reads out game programs and game data recorded on the CD-ROM 25 in accordance with instructions from the CPU 14.

The input / output control unit 30 is an interface for connecting one or more external input / output devices to the home game machine 11, where the controller 32 is detachably attached. In addition, an auxiliary storage device such as a memory card may be connected. The controller 32 is provided with various buttons as input means for the player to operate the game. The input / output control unit 30 scans the operation state of various buttons of the controller 32 at a predetermined period (for example, every 1/60 second), and transmits a signal indicating the scan result to the CPU 14 via the bus 12. Hand it on. The CPU 14 determines the game operation of the player based on the signal. In addition, the communication control unit 31 is, for example, a modem or a terminal adapter. For example, the communication control unit 31 is connected to the Internet 29 via an ISP to realize a game of communication competition, or to receive a game program or game data from the Internet 29. To be used.

2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the controller 32. The controller 32 shown in Fig. 2 is used for various games, and has a + character key 34, a start button 36, and buttons 38X, 38Y, 38A, 38B on its surface. The + character key 34 has a + character shape, and is usually used to designate a moving direction of a character or a cursor. The start button 36 is a small push button having a triangular shape and is usually used for starting a game, forcibly terminating a game, or the like. The buttons 38X, 38Y, 38A, 38B are used for other game operations.

Hereinafter, a description will be given in detail of a technique for supporting (assisting) a player directly inputting an opponent's IP address when starting a competitive game using the game device 10 having such a configuration.

First, in the game device 10, when starting a competitive game using the Internet 29, the opponent's IP address is sequentially stored in the RAM 26 or the memory card. 3 shows an example of an IP address history stored in a memory card (not shown) connected to the RAM 26 or the input / output control unit 30. In FIG. 3, the IP address shown at the top is the IP address of the opponent who played the game last, and the IP address of the opponent is shown below in order from the new one. Among the IP addresses listed in Fig. 3, for example, the upper eight bits are "192" or the "210" IP address, and the upper 24 bits are network numbers (including class identifiers). In addition, the IP address whose upper 8 bits are "143" is class B, and the upper 16 bits are network numbers.

Using this IP address history, in the direct input scene of the opponent's IP address, the game device 10 displays the input form on the monitor 18, and the upper 16 bits (network number) of the last opponent's IP address are displayed therein. Part or all of) together with the cursor. 4 shows an input form portion of the screen displayed on the monitor 18 for the first time in a scene in which a player directly inputs an IP address, the square frame of FIG. 4 represents an input form, and the symbol "<" represents a cursor. . Here, the upper 16 bits of the IP address shown at the top of the IP address history in FIG. 3 are displayed.

Thereafter, when the player operates the + character key 34 of the controller 32 in the up and down direction, the upper 16 bits of the IP address included in the IP address history are sequentially displayed. Fig. 5 shows each part of the screen displayed in order on the monitor 18 when the player operates the + character key 34 in the up and down direction in a scene in which the player directly inputs an IP address. As shown in FIG. 5, when the player operates the + character key 34 in the downward direction in the screen state of FIG. 4, the current monitor 18 is displayed among the upper 16 bits of the IP address included in the IP address history. One older than the one shown is displayed. That is, in the IP address history shown in Fig. 3, &quot; 192. 168.90.10 '' 192. 168 "is displayed on the monitor 18, and when a player operates the + character key 34 to the downward direction, the upper 16 bits are the same as" 192. 168. 90. 12 "is skipped and" 143. 90. Higher order 16 bits of 9.20, that is, "143. 90 "portion is displayed next on the monitor 18. Next, as shown in FIG. When the player operates the + character key 34 in the upward direction, one of the upper 16 bits of the IP address included in the IP address history is displayed newer than that currently displayed on the monitor 18.

When the player presses the button 38A of the controller 32 while the upper 16 bits of a certain IP address are displayed, the 16 bits are determined as the upper 16 bits of the input IP address. In this state, when the player further operates the + character key 34 in the up and down direction, the portion of the upper 17 to 24 bits of the IP address where the portion which has been determined is common, that is, the next 8 bits of the portion that has been confirmed, Displayed sequentially on the right. 6 shows an input form portion of the screen displayed on the monitor 18 at this time. For example, "192. 168 &quot; is displayed on the monitor 18, when the player presses the button 38A, the &quot; 192. 168 "is determined as the upper 16 bits of the input IP address, and when the + character key 34 is operated in the up-down direction in this state, the upper 16 bits are" 192. &Quot; 168 &quot; is read sequentially from the IP address history, and portions of the upper 17 to 24 bits of the IP address are sequentially displayed on the right side horizontally. In the example of the IP address history shown in Fig. 3, &quot; 192. &Quot; 90 &quot;, &quot; 100 &quot;, &quot; 120 &quot;, .. &quot; 90 &quot;, &quot; 100 &quot;, &quot; 120 &quot; Are displayed on the right in this order.

At this time, when the player operates the + character key 34 in the left and right direction, the number (decimal representation) of the last 8 bits of the IP address currently displayed on the monitor 18 is increased or decreased. 7 shows an input form portion of the screen displayed on the monitor 18 at this time. As shown in Fig. 7, for example, &quot; 192. When the + -character key 34 is operated in the left-right direction while 168. 100 "is displayed," 100 "which is the last 8 bits increases or decreases. That is, when the + character key 34 is operated in the right direction, the numerical value increases from "100" by one. On the contrary, when operating in the left direction, the numerical value decreases by one from "100". At this time, if the + character key 34 is kept pressed in the same direction for a predetermined time (for example, 1 second) or more, the speed of increase and decrease is increased. When the player sets the desired value and presses the button 38A, the 8-bit value is confirmed. Thereafter, similarly, the + character key 34 is operated to set the last 8 bits. Then, the last 8 bits are confirmed by pressing button 38A. In this way, the IP address determined by the previous numerical value is used as the main game process as the IP address of the opponent in communication.

In addition, when the button 38B is pressed, the input of one character or eight bits may be canceled and the number thereof may be reset. In addition, when the button 38Y is pressed, the keyboard screen is displayed in another screen area, the cursor operable by the + character key 34 is displayed, and the player selects each key of the keyboard to directly display the IP address. It is also possible to enter each number constituting the sequence in order.

8 to 11 are flowcharts for explaining processing of the game device 10 for implementing the above-described address input support method. This process is executed by the CPU 14 in accordance with the game program stored in the CD-ROM 25 in a scene where the player directly inputs the IP address of the communication partner in the game of the competitive game. As shown in Figs. 8 to 11, in this process, the IP address of the last end of the IP address history is first read out (S101). The upper 16 bits (part or all of the network number) of the read IP address are displayed left-justified on the input form (S102). Next, when the + character key 34 is operated in the downward direction (S103), it is an IP address having an upper 16 bit different from the upper 16 bits of the IP address currently displayed on the monitor 18. In step S104, the previous one is read from the IP address currently displayed on the monitor 18 (S104), and the upper 16 bits of the read IP address are left-aligned in the input form and drawn (S102). . If the IP address does not exist, the + character key 34 is operated in the upward direction or waits for the button 38A to be pressed.

When the + character key 34 is operated in the upward direction (S105), it is an IP address having an upper 16 bit different from the upper 16 bits of the IP address currently displayed on the monitor 18, and is currently monitored in the IP address history. The next one (new) after the IP address indicated in (18) is read (S106), and the upper 16 bits of the read IP address are left-aligned on the input form and overwritten (S102). If the IP address does not exist, the + character key 34 is operated downward or waits for the button 38A to be pressed.

If the + character key 34 has not been operated in any of the up and down directions, it is checked whether the button 38A is pressed (S107). If it is not pressed, the control returns to S103 and monitors key input again. On the other hand, when the button 38A is pressed, the upper 16 bits of the IP address displayed on the input form at that time are determined as part or all of the input IP address (S108).

Next, whether the + character key 34 has been operated in the downward direction (S109), in the upward direction (S112), in the right direction (S115), in the left direction (S119), or in the button 38A. Is checked (S123). When the + character key 34 is operated in the downward direction (S109), the upper 8 bits (the next 8 bits) of the undetermined portion in the previous (past) IP address in the common IP address history are determined. It reads (S110), and displays it on the right side of the part which was confirmed in the input form (S111). In addition, when the + character key 34 is operated in the upward direction (S112), the upper 8 bits (the next 8 bits) of the undetermined portion in one (new) IP address in the IP address history in which the definite portion is common. Is read (S113), and it is displayed on the right side of the finalized portion of the input form (S114). If the corresponding IP address does not exist in S110 and S113, it waits for another key or button to be pressed.

If the + character key 34 is operated in the right direction (S115), it is determined whether the operation in the right direction is continued for at least 1 second (S116). The corresponding numerical value is displayed incrementally (S117). If it is not continued, the numerical value corresponding to the upper 8 bits of the undetermined portion at the normal speed is incrementally displayed (S118). If the + character key 34 is operated in the left direction (S119), it is determined whether the operation in the left direction continues for 1 second or more (S120). The corresponding numerical value is displayed in increments (S121). If it is not continued, the numerical value corresponding to the upper 8 bits of the undetermined portion at the normal speed is displayed in increments (S122). If the button 38A is pressed (S123), the 8-bits currently being set are determined (S124).

If all of the IP addresses have been determined (S125), address input support ends and the process returns to the main game process. The IP address determined in the above process is used as the main game process as the IP address of the opponent. On the other hand, if all of the IP addresses are not confirmed (if the last 8 bits of input remain), the + character key 34 is operated in the downward direction again for the last 8 bits (S109) or in the upward direction. It is monitored whether it is (S112), whether it operated in the right direction (S115), whether it operated in the left direction (S119), and whether the button 38A was pressed (S123).

According to the above-described game device 10, during the competitive game play, the opponent player's IP address is stored in the RAM 26 or the memory card to retain the IP address history, and the + character key 34 is operated up and down, thereby the history. Part or all of the network numbers of the IP addresses included in the display are sequentially displayed, and by pressing the button 38A, any one can be selected as part or all of the network numbers of the input addresses. In the case of a match with a person having an IP address having the same network number, the address can be input quickly.

In addition, this invention is not limited to the Example demonstrated above.

For example, in the above description, the present invention is applied to support input of an IP address of a communication opponent, but the present invention is widely applied in a scene in which direct input of an address including a network number and a host number, such as an IP address, is required. It is possible.

In the above description, for the sake of simplicity, regardless of the class of the IP address, the upper 16 bits of the IP address included in the IP address history are first presented to the player in order to select one from there. For the class B IP address (for example, "143.90. 9. 20" in the IP address history shown in Fig. 3), the entire network number is presented to the player, but the class C IP address (for example, , The entire network number is not presented to the player for &quot; 192.168.90.10 &quot; in the IP address history shown in FIG. Thus, by examining the class identifiers recorded in the upper 1 to 3 bits of the IP address included in the IP address history, the length of the network number is obtained, and the entire network number is presented to the player for each IP address to be selectable. Also good. That is, if the upper two bits of the IP address included in the IP address history are "10", the corresponding IP address is class B, and the upper 16 bits are presented to the player as the network number. If the upper three bits are &quot; 110 &quot;, the corresponding IP address is class C, and the upper 24 bits are presented to the player as the network number. In this way, the player can more easily input the IP address of the communication partner.

In addition, although the above description assumes IPv4 (Internet Protocol Version 4), the present invention can be similarly applied to IPv6 (Internet Protocol Version 6).

As described above, according to the present invention, in data communication, at least part or all of the network numbers of the opposite addresses are acquired and stored sequentially, and one or more of the network numbers already stored based on the user's instruction when the address is input. Upon selection, the user receives input of the remaining part of the network number and the host number, and the address including the remaining part of the network number and the host number entered as part or all of these selected network numbers is input to the user's input address. As a result, all or part of the network number is selected, and the user can easily input the address.

Claims (3)

A communication apparatus for transmitting data to an address including a network number and a host number, Network number acquiring means for acquiring at least part or all of the network numbers of the relative addresses during data communication; Network number storage means for sequentially storing part or all of the network number acquired by the network number obtaining means; Network number selecting means for selecting one from part or all of the network number already stored in the network number storing means based on a user instruction; Input means for a user to input the remainder of the network number and the host number; And Data transmission means for transmitting data to a part or all of the network number selected by the network number selecting means, an address including a remaining part of the network number input by the input means and a host number; Communication device comprising a. In the address input support method for supporting the input of an address including a network number and a host number, A network number acquiring step of acquiring at least part or all of the network numbers of the relative addresses during data communication; A network number storing step of sequentially storing part or all of the network number acquired in the network number obtaining step; A network number selecting step of selecting one from part or all of the network number already stored in the network number storing step based on a user instruction; An input step of accepting input of a remainder of the network number and a host number from a user; And An input address determination step of determining, as a user's input address, an address including a part or all of the network number selected in the network number selection step, the remaining part of the network number input in the input step, and a host number; Address input support method comprising a. An information storage medium storing a program for supporting input of an address including a network number and a host number, A network number acquiring step of acquiring at least part or all of a network number among relative addresses in data communication; A network number storing step of sequentially storing part or all of the network number acquired in the network number obtaining step; A network number selecting step of selecting one from part or all of the network number already stored in the network number storing step based on a user instruction; An input step of accepting input of a remainder of the network number and a host number from a user; And An input address determination step of determining, as a user's input address, an address including a part or all of the network number selected in the network number selection step, the remaining part of the network number input in the input step, and a host number; An information storage medium that stores a program for executing the program to a computer.